Novel structure of alkaline water hydrogen production electrolytic cell

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of electrolytic cells, in particular to a novel structure of an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolytic cell, which comprises an auxiliary gasket element arranged between an end pressing plate and an end polar plate of the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolytic cell. And the auxiliary gasket element is not in contact with the electrolyte in the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolytic bath. According to the utility model, the stress state of the sealing gasket can be optimized and improved, the problem that the sealing gasket is easy to damage due to pressure change in the electrolytic cell and thermal expansion and cold contraction caused by frequent startup and shutdown of the electrolytic cell is solved, and particularly, the problem that the sealing gasket close to the end polar plate is easier to lose efficacy and damage can be solved; therefore, the working reliability and the operation safety of the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolytic bath are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrolyzer technology, specifically to a novel structure for an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer. Background Technology

[0002] An alkaline water electrolyzer is a device that produces hydrogen by electrolyzing alkaline water. Its basic principle is to generate hydrogen and oxygen at the cathode and anode of the electrolyzer by electrolyzing an alkaline aqueous solution containing hydroxide ions. Traditional alkaline water electrolyzers typically use a 30% potassium hydroxide solution or a 26% sodium hydroxide solution as the electrolyte, offering advantages such as mature technology, rich operational experience, and low cost.

[0003] Typical alkaline water electrolyzers for hydrogen production in existing technologies include... Figure 1 As shown, it includes a number of electrode plate components assembled by stacking, with sealing gaskets 6 placed between adjacent electrode plate components. Among the stacked electrode plate components, the electrode plate components at both ends are called end plates 1, and the electrode plate components in the middle are called electrode plates 5. At both ends of the stacked electrode plate components, end pressure plates 2 are also provided to press the stacked electrode plate components and sealing gaskets together. An insulating plate 3 is placed between the end pressure plate 2 and the end plate 1. Existing insulating plates 3 are usually rigid insulating plates. For large alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzers, the end pressure plate 1, insulating plate 3, and end plate 1, as rigid structures, have a relatively heavy overall weight. By setting the insulating plate 3, the current loaded on the electrode plate is isolated from the end pressure plate 2, preventing short circuits during electrolysis and ensuring the safety of operators. In addition, inside the assembled electrolytic cell, an electrolytic chamber is formed between two adjacent electrode plates. The electrolytic chamber is divided into an anode chamber and a cathode chamber by a diaphragm 14. On both sides of the diaphragm 14, an anode mesh (as an oxygen evolution electrode 10) located in the anode chamber and a cathode mesh (as a hydrogen evolution electrode 11) located in the cathode chamber are respectively provided.

[0004] Currently, alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen production is mainly used in green electricity hydrogen production scenarios such as photovoltaic and wind power generation. Due to the influence of natural conditions, the power supply load to the electrolyzer fluctuates greatly, and the electrolyzer operates under a wide range of fluctuations and frequent start-stop operations. Load fluctuations and frequent start-stop operations cause large changes in temperature and pressure within the electrolyzer itself. Due to thermal expansion and contraction and pressure changes, the electrolyzer undergoes frequent elongation and contraction along its overall length, which in turn transfers significant stress to each sealing gasket. This worsens the stress on the sealing gaskets, accelerates their damage, and ultimately reduces the service life of the electrolyzer.

[0005] Furthermore, through long-term operational observation of the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer, the applicant discovered that the sealing gaskets near the end plates in the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer are more prone to failure than the sealing gaskets between the plates in the middle of the electrolyzer. This can cause the medium inside the cell to leak outward, which seriously affects the safety of the electrolyzer, resulting in problems such as forced shutdown, short service life, and even scrapping of the electrolyzer.

[0006] Therefore, how to prevent the failure and damage of sealing gaskets in alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzers, especially the problem that sealing gaskets near the end plates are more prone to failure and damage, is one of the technical problems that urgently need to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0007] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention proposes a novel structure for an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer. The aim is to optimize and improve the stress state of the sealing gaskets, resolving the issue of easy damage to the gaskets caused by pressure changes and thermal expansion and contraction within the electrolyzer due to frequent start-ups and shutdowns. Specifically, it addresses the problem of sealing gaskets near the end plates being more prone to failure and damage, thereby improving the operational reliability and safety of the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer. The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0008] A novel structure for an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer includes an auxiliary gasket element disposed between the end pressure plate and the end electrode plate of the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer. The auxiliary gasket element is elastic and does not come into contact with the internal electrolyte of the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer.

[0009] As one of the preferred embodiments of the auxiliary gasket element in this utility model, the auxiliary gasket element includes a single insulating plate, and the insulating plate is elastic.

[0010] Preferably, the insulating board is one of the following: polytetrafluoroethylene elastic modified insulating board, silicone rubber insulating board, fluororubber insulating board, polyurethane elastomer insulating board, AEM ethylene acrylate rubber insulating board, EPDM ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber insulating board, rubber modified insulating board, and engineering plastic elastic modified insulating board; or the insulating board is a multi-layer composite elastic insulating board.

[0011] As a second preferred embodiment of the auxiliary gasket element in this utility model, the auxiliary gasket element includes an auxiliary gasket assembly composed of at least one rigid gasket and at least one elastic gasket stacked together.

[0012] Preferably, in the auxiliary gasket assembly, at least one of the rigid gaskets is an insulating rigid gasket, or at least one of the elastic gaskets is an insulating elastic gasket.

[0013] Preferably, the rigid gasket and the elastic gasket in the auxiliary gasket assembly are stacked alternately in sequence.

[0014] More preferably, the auxiliary gasket assembly includes N rigid gaskets and N+1 elastic gaskets, which are stacked alternately in a manner of elastic gasket, rigid gasket, elastic gasket, rigid gasket, ..., elastic gasket to form the auxiliary gasket assembly.

[0015] Preferably, the elastic gasket is one of the following: polytetrafluoroethylene elastic modified gasket, silicone rubber gasket, fluororubber gasket, polyurethane elastomer gasket, AEM ethylene acrylate rubber gasket, EPDM ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber gasket, rubber modified gasket, and engineering plastic elastic modified gasket; or the elastic gasket is a multi-layer composite elastic gasket made of multiple layers.

[0016] In this invention, the elastic gasket is an annular elastic gasket or a solid elastic gasket, and the outer edge shape of the elastic gasket matches the shape of the end pressure plate and the end electrode plate.

[0017] Preferably, in order to ensure the elastic performance of the auxiliary gasket element, the resilience coefficient of the auxiliary gasket element is ≥30%.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0019] First, the novel structure of the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer of this utility model, by adding an auxiliary gasket element between the end plate and the end electrode plate of the electrolyzer, can change the rigid connection between the end plate and the end electrode plate, so that the end plate and the end electrode plate have elastic deformation capability. In this way, part of the stress on the sealing gasket located between each electrode plate can be transferred to the newly added auxiliary gasket element with good elastic deformation capability outside the end electrode plate, thereby reducing the possibility of sealing gasket failure and damage in the electrolyzer.

[0020] Secondly, the novel structure of the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer of this utility model adds an auxiliary gasket element between the end plate and the end plate of the electrolyzer. This transfers the larger stress load borne by the sealing gasket near the end plate to the auxiliary gasket element, so that the stress load borne by the sealing gasket near the end plate and the sealing gasket at the middle plate is at or close to the same level. Therefore, this technology can greatly improve the large stress on the sealing gasket near the end plate, thereby solving the technical problem that the sealing gasket near the end plate is more prone to failure and damage in the prior art.

[0021] Third, the new structure of the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer of this utility model has an auxiliary gasket element added between the end pressure plate and the end electrode plate. This auxiliary gasket element is located in a non-pressure area outside the electrolysis chamber and does not come into contact with the internal electrolyte, thus avoiding corrosion from the electrolyte. Moreover, even if the auxiliary gasket element is damaged, it will not cause medium leakage. This achieves the purpose of reducing the risk of leakage in the electrolyzer, improving the operational safety of the electrolyzer, and increasing the service life of the sealing gasket between the electrode plates. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a typical alkaline water electrolyzer in the prior art;

[0023] Figure 2 This is one embodiment of a novel structure for an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention (a single elastic insulating plate is provided between the end pressure plate and the end electrode plate as an auxiliary gasket element).

[0024] Figure 3 This is another embodiment of a new structure for an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention (an auxiliary gasket element is provided between the end pressure plate and the end electrode plate, consisting of a combination of an elastic rigid gasket and an elastic gasket).

[0025] In the diagram: 1. End plate, 2. End pressure plate, 3. Insulating plate, 4. Auxiliary gasket element, 5. Electrode plate, 6. Sealing gasket, 7. Rigid gasket, 8. Elastic gasket, 9. Auxiliary gasket assembly, 10. Oxygen evolution electrode, 11. Hydrogen evolution electrode, 12. Nut, 13. Disc spring, 14. Diaphragm, 15. Insulating sleeve, 16. Tensioning bolt. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 3 The illustration shows an embodiment of a novel structure for an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer of this invention, including an auxiliary gasket element 4 disposed between the end pressure plate 2 and the end electrode plate 1 of the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer. The auxiliary gasket element 4 is elastic and does not contact the internal electrolyte of the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer.

[0028] As one of the preferred embodiments of the auxiliary gasket element in this example, the auxiliary gasket element 4 includes a single insulating plate 3, and the insulating plate 3 is elastic.

[0029] Preferably, the insulating board 3 is one of the following: polytetrafluoroethylene elastic modified insulating board, silicone rubber insulating board, fluororubber insulating board, polyurethane elastomer insulating board, AEM ethylene acrylate rubber insulating board, EPDM ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber insulating board, rubber modified insulating board, and engineering plastic elastic modified insulating board; or the insulating board 3 is a multi-layer composite elastic insulating board.

[0030] As a second preferred embodiment of the auxiliary gasket element, the auxiliary gasket element 4 includes an auxiliary gasket assembly 9 formed by stacking at least one rigid gasket 7 and at least one elastic gasket 8.

[0031] Preferably, in the auxiliary gasket assembly 9, at least one of the rigid gaskets 7 is an insulating rigid gasket, or at least one of the elastic gaskets 8 is an insulating elastic gasket.

[0032] Preferably, the rigid gasket 7 and the elastic gasket 8 in the auxiliary gasket assembly 9 are stacked alternately in sequence.

[0033] More preferably, the auxiliary gasket assembly 9 includes N rigid gaskets and N+1 elastic gaskets, which are stacked alternately in the following manner: elastic gasket 8, rigid gasket 7, elastic gasket 8, rigid gasket 7, ..., elastic gasket 8, to form the auxiliary gasket assembly 9.

[0034] Figure 3 In this process, the auxiliary gasket assembly 9 includes two rigid gaskets 7 and three elastic gaskets 8, which are stacked alternately between the elastic gaskets 8 and the rigid gaskets 7 to form the auxiliary gasket assembly 9.

[0035] Preferably, the elastic gasket 8 is one of the following: polytetrafluoroethylene elastic modified gasket, silicone rubber gasket, fluororubber gasket, polyurethane elastomer gasket, AEM ethylene acrylate rubber gasket, EPDM ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber gasket, rubber modified gasket, and engineering plastic elastic modified gasket; or the elastic gasket 8 is a multi-layer composite elastic gasket made of multiple layers.

[0036] In this embodiment, the elastic pad 8 is an annular elastic pad or a solid elastic pad, and the outer edge shape of the elastic pad 8 matches the shape of the end pressure plate 2 and the end electrode plate 1.

[0037] Preferably, in order to ensure the elastic performance of the auxiliary gasket element 4, the resilience coefficient of the auxiliary gasket element 4 is ≥30%.

[0038] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A novel structure for an alkaline water-to-hydrogen electrolyzer, characterized in that, It includes an auxiliary gasket element disposed between the end pressure plate and the end electrode plate of the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer. The auxiliary gasket element is elastic and does not come into contact with the internal electrolyte of the alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer.

2. The novel structure of an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The auxiliary gasket element comprises a single insulating plate, and the insulating plate is elastic.

3. The novel structure of an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The insulating board is one of the following: polytetrafluoroethylene elastic modified insulating board, silicone rubber insulating board, fluororubber insulating board, polyurethane elastomer insulating board, AEM ethylene acrylate rubber insulating board, EPDM ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber insulating board, rubber modified insulating board, and engineering plastic elastic modified insulating board; or the insulating board is a multi-layer composite elastic insulating board.

4. The novel structure of an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The auxiliary gasket element comprises an auxiliary gasket assembly consisting of at least one rigid gasket and at least one elastic gasket stacked together.

5. The novel structure of an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 4, characterized in that, In the auxiliary gasket assembly, at least one of the rigid gaskets is an insulating rigid gasket, or at least one of the elastic gaskets is an insulating elastic gasket.

6. The novel structure of an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The rigid gaskets and elastic gaskets in the auxiliary gasket assembly are stacked alternately in sequence.

7. A novel structure for an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The auxiliary gasket assembly includes N rigid gaskets and N+1 elastic gaskets, which are stacked alternately in a manner of elastic gasket, rigid gasket, elastic gasket, rigid gasket, ..., elastic gasket to form the auxiliary gasket assembly.

8. The novel structure of an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The elastic gasket is one of the following: polytetrafluoroethylene elastic modified gasket, silicone rubber gasket, fluororubber gasket, polyurethane elastomer gasket, AEM ethylene acrylate rubber gasket, EPDM ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber gasket, rubber modified gasket, and engineering plastic elastic modified gasket; or the elastic gasket is a multi-layer composite elastic gasket made of multiple layers.

9. A novel structure for an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The elastic gasket is an annular elastic gasket or a solid elastic gasket, and the outer edge shape of the elastic gasket matches the shape of the end pressure plate and the end electrode plate.

10. A novel structure for an alkaline water hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The resilience coefficient of the auxiliary gasket element is ≥30%.

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